Horsetooth Half Marathon

Lock in on DOOR BUSTER PRICING

As is tradition, registration for the 2027 race (4.18.27) will open on July 13 with old school, roll back pricing. But you’ll have to get up early to take advantage!

Registration will open at 4am, and the first 50 runners that register will enjoy the lowest possible pricing at $45. Pricing will be tiered from there as follows:

First 50: $45
Next 100: $50
Next 100: $60
Next 100: $65
Until July 31: $75

Following the introductory pricing period, regular early bird pricing will be set at $85 with two more price tiers until race day.

Sign up here: https://horsetooth-half.com/

Fort Collins' own Rachael Rudel breaks Horsetooth Half women's record Fort Collins native and former CSU runner Rachael Rudel shattered the Horsetooth Half Marathon women's course record to lead the 2026 edition.

Backstage Flash with the Horsetooth Half vibes...

It was a fast, fast day out there on the Horsetooth Half course today. Fort Collins HS and CSU alum Rachael Rudel of Front Range Elite brought home a massive new COURSE RECORD (1:12:30) in the women's race. On the men's side, Loveland's Braden Nicholson (1:06:32) ran the fourth fastest time ever.

Let's hear it for our 2026 champions!!

Full 2026 results here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/80252 -642491;perpage:100

The Women’s Elite Field Preview:

The 2026 Horsetooth Half Women’s field features a former champion, many debuts, and a deep field.

Our top returner is Rachael Rudel, who was 6th in 2024. Rudel has been tearing up the road and trail circuits this past year, with a 1:11 half marathon PR and a 16:17 5K PR to boot. Rudel will be joined by Annmarie Kirkpatrick and both will represent the local Front Range Elite training group. Kirkpatrick has posted numerous podium finishes over the years, including the overall win in 2018.

Allie Schaich recently ran 2:35 at the Valencia Marathon in 2025 to qualify for the 2028 US Olympic Trials in the marathon. Schaich holds stout PRs of 1:13 in the half and 2:34 in the full.

Jessica Scheriff is the 2025 USATF Colorado 5k Champion and finished an impressive 7th at the 2024 Great Britain Olympic Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. Scheriff recently ran 1:15 in the Indy Monumental Half Marathon in 2025.

Sarah Biehl has had a dominant career on the trails, with multiple podiums including winning the 2022 JFK 50 miler. Biehl is no stranger to roads though, having ran 2:39 in the marathon and competed at the 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials.

Sarah Anyan is a 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier with a 2:44 marathon PR. After tearing up the gravel bike racing scene the last few years, Anyan brings an added layer of aerobic fitness that will translate well to the Horsetooth hills.

Lindsey Blehm rounds out our field as the youngest of our elite competitors, having recently ran at University of Nebraska Lincoln. Blehm holds a 1:23 half marathon PR, but also shows impressive range with an 800 meter PR of 2:11.

The prize purse for the 53rd running of the Horsetooth Half Marathon is $12,000, with generous support from the Fort Collins Running Club. Payouts go 8 deep and there will be fierce competition to match.

The racing action starts at 8:00am on Sunday, April 19. Lead runners in the women’s race will hit the finish around 9:15am.